Multiple door compartment



E. J. G. FgHlLLlPs 2,142,408

Filed Jan. e, 193e sheetssheet 1 MULTI PLE DOOR COMPARTMENT Jan.. 3,1939.

8 sheets-sheet l2 Jan. 3, 1939. EpJ. G. PHILLIPS MULTIPLE DOORCOMPARTMENT Filed Jan. 6, 1936 Jan. 3, 1939. E. J. G. PHILLIPS MULTIPLEDOOR C-OMPARTMENT Filed Jan.' 6, 1936 l8 Sheets-Sheet 3 6 0 51 3 Jr@ ZSM lf r l 2 fd wm 2 l J Z Q Z d Q 1 1 2 Vinson?! 7 j E E HQE. W R 9 7. l....VZ

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E. J. G. PHILLIPS 2,142,408

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MULTIPLE DOOR COMPARTMENT Filed Jan. 6,' 1936 8 sheets-sheet 5 Jan. 3,1939. E. J. G. PHILLIPS MULTIPLE DOOR COMPARTMENT Filed Jan 6, 1936 8Sheets-Shee't 6 l /QZ Jan. 3, 1939. E. J. G. PHILLlPs MULTIPLE DOORGOMPARTMENT 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Jan. 6, 1936 www mw Nw wmmmm r km MSWRN Jan. 3, 1939. E. J. G. vf-nl Ln-s` MULTIPLE DOOR COMPARTMENT 1936 8Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Jan. 6

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Patented Jan. 3, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MULTIPLE DOORCOMPARTMENT Application January 6, 1936, Serial No. 57,794

12 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to cornpartments, such aswardrobes for school rooms and the like, and is especially concernedwith such cabinets and compartments wherein a plurality of movable doorsare provided to permit access to the compartment.

Heretofore, in compartments of the multiple door variety, the mountinghardware for the plurality of doors has been relatively complicated andexpensive, and in some instances in the case of school room wardrobes,where the door panels are mounted to swing about offset pivots, thesupporting brackets for the doors extend into the-open space of thedoorway when the doors are opened. These offset pivot brackets were notinfrequently so disposed that children were likely to stumble over them.

With the above factors in mind, the principal object of the presentinvention is the provision of f a multiple door arrangement embodyingsets of hingedly connected door panels, one panel of each set beingpivoted by relatively simple hardware for swinging movement about anaxis that lies in the plane of the door, the other or com- Kpanion panelor panels being supported from an overhead trolley of simple, yetsturdy, construction, and, being hingedly connected to the pivotedpanels, the companion panels are adapted to be folded against theassociated pivot panels, leaving a clear and unobstructed space betweenthe folded pairs of door panels and providing for easy and convenientaccess to the compartment.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a multipledoor construction embodying two or more sets of door panels in groups ofthree, one being mounted for swinging movement about an axis that liesin the plane of the door opening and the other panels being hingedlyconnected to opposite edges of the pivoted panel, and a still furtherobject of the present invention in this connection is the provision ofsupporting means for the two non-pivoted panels in which one issupported by a hanger and overhead track assembly and in which the otherpanel is guided for movement by a channel track.

Still further, an additional object of the present invention is theprovision of a multiple door construction, embodying groups of threepanels, one end panel of the group being pivoted while the other twopanels are mounted for folding movement, at least one, preferably theone opposite the pivoted panel, being supported by a hanger unit, andanother object of the present invention is the 'provision of suitablemeans for guiding the intermediate panel.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will beapparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of thefollowing detailed description of the preferred structural embodiments,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a compartment having three pairsof folding doors and so arranged that the article supporting rackswithin the compartment can be made continuous from end to end;

Figure 2 is a sectional view corresponding generally to a section takenalong the line 2-2 of Figure 5;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but illustrating the use oflinkage means for causing all of the door panels to swing together;

Figure 4 is a section taken along the line 4--4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a section taken along the line 5-5 of Figures 3 and 6;

Figure 6 is a section taken along the line l---Bv of Figure 5; Y n

Figure 7 is a section taken along the line 1--1 of Figure 3,illustrating the pivotal mounting of certain of the door panels;

Figure 8 is a view taken along the line 8--8 of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a section taken along the line 9-9 of Figures 2 and 10;

Figure 10 is a view taken along the line Ill- I0 of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 2 and shows a modified form of thepresent invention in which the axis of movement of the pivoted panels isdisposed adjacent one edge thereof, resulting in an arrangement inwhich, when the panels are folded, the forward edges do not project veryfar forwardly of the doorway;

Figure 12 illustrates another modified form of the present invention,embodying two pairs of door panels similar to those illustrated inFigure l1 but arranged in opposite relation so that when they are foldedthe panels are disposed at opposite sides of the doorway, resulting in awide, clear space, providing easy access to the compartm-ent;

Figure 13 is a sectional view taken generally along the line I3-l3 ofFigure 12;

Figures 14 and 15 are views similar to Figure 13, showing two forms ofmultiple door constructions embodying groups of interconnected doorpanels arranged with three panels in each group, Figure 14 being asection taken generally wardly as in Figure 2.

Referring now to the drawings, particularly to Figures 1, 2, and 3 itwill be noted that for the purpose of illustrating my invention I havechosen a Wardrobe orrmultiple door compartment of the type that isadapted to be incorporated in a school building wherein the compartmenttakes the form of a wardrobe or closet adapted to receive wearingapparel, books, and the like, having a relatively wide doorway closed bya series of door panels, and if desired, the latter may have blackboardsand chalk rails mounted on the outer faces thereof.

. The compartment is indicated in its entirety by the reference numeralI0 (Figure 2) and includes a back Wall II, and walls I2 and |3,and aceiling I4 (Figure 4), and these walls may be plastered or of any otherdesired construction. Secured to the rear wall is a pair of articlesupporting racks I6 and I1, supported upon brackets I8 of any desiredconstruction, and a plurality of hooks 20 are carried on the forwardedges of the racks I6 and |1 and on the rear wall II below the racks.The framing of the compartment follows conventional buildingconstruction and includes a suitable header support extendinghorizontally across the topl of the wardrobe opening, and suitableexterior trim, including, for example, a head casing 26 and side casings21 and 28,

As illustrated in Figure 1, three pairs of folding door panels may beprovided for closing the doorway opening, these pairs being indicated inFigure 1 by the reference numerals 30, 3| and 32, the latter pair beingshown in the right-,hand portion of Figure 1 as in their open or foldedposition,` while the other two pairs of panels are shown in their closedor extended position. One panel of each pair is mounted for swingingmovement about fixed pivots, and the other panel is suported by hangermeans operating along track sections, whereby the panel so supported canmovefrom its'extended position to a folded position alongside thepivoted panel.

' Referring now more particularly to Figures 4, '7 and 8, the upper andlower pivots are indicated, respectively, by the reference numerals and36. The upper pivots 35A each consists of an angle member 40 fastened,as by screws 4|, to a head strip 42. The head strip is secured in anysuitable manner to the longitudinally disposed header support 25, as bysuitable plates 44 and angle clips 46, best shown in Figure 9. Each ofthe anglev members 40 includes a forwardly extended portion fittingagainst the bottom edge of the header strip 42, and the forwardlyextending portion 50 of each angle member 40 is apertured, as at 5|, toreceive a bushing 52 having a reduced end tightly fitting in the openingV5|. The bottom edge of the head strip 42 is cut out at various pointsto receive the several bushings 52 and associated pivots.

An angle member 55 is fastened, as by screws 56, to the upper edge ofthe door panel, each of the pivoted door panels, or sections, beingindicated by the reference numeral Ell. Like the angle member 40, themember 55 also includes a forwardly bent portion 62 which seats in arecess on the upper edge of the associated door panel and is aperturedto receive a pivot stud 65, the latter having a reduced end 66 receivedby and riveted to the forwardly extending portion 62 of the top pivotangle member 55. The bottom pivot includes an angle member 10 fastenedby screws 1| and having a forwardly bent portion 12 that is aperturedand receives a circular bearing member 13 which is preferably Welded tothe angle member 10 of the bottom pivot. The bottom edge of the panel 60is recessed, as at 15, to receive the upper end of an adjusting pivot16, and the latter carries a ball-bearing 11 resting on a pin 18inserted through an opening in the pivot 16. The lower end of the latteris threaded, as at 19, and anv adjusting nut 8| is disposed thereon. Thelower end of the pivot 19 is slidably received in a bottom pivot plate82 which preferably is formed with flanges 83 by which the bottom pivotplate may be screwed to the oor. By inserting a suitable tool in theopening 85 and turning the nut 8|, the pivoted panel 60 may be raisedand lowered to bring the same to the proper position, the upper pivotstud sliding in the top pivot bushing 52 during such adjustment. Theupper pivot 65 and the lower pivot 16 establish a generally verticalpivot axis passing substantially through the center of the panel 69 andin the general plane thereof about which the panel may swing. Each ofthe pivoted panels 60 is mounted by the same construction, so thatfurther description as to the other panels 60 is not necessary.

The companion panels of each pair are each indicated by the referencenumeral 90, and each is hingedly connected to the adjacent edge of theassociated pivoted panel 69 by upper and lower hinges which will now bedescribed. Referring more particularly to Figures 9 and l0, the upperhinge, indicated at 9|, comprises two leaves 92 and 93, each in the formof an angle member including a vertical portion 94 and a forwardly bentsection 95. The forwardly bent portions are of generally triangularformation (Figures 2 and 3), and the forward portion 95 of the leaf 92includes a downwardly bent portion 96 (Figure 10) which is apertured andreceives a hinge pin or pintle 91, the head of which is carried in an.

aperture formed in the overlapping portion of the companion leaf 93. Byvirture of the downwardly bent portion 96, the two forwardly extendingleaf sections 95 are disposed in the same plane adjacent the upper edgeof the two hingedly connected door panels 50 and 90. Preferably, bolts|00 are utilized for fastening the hinge leaves 92 and 93 to theassociated panels. It is to be noted, further, that the axis establishedby the hinge pin 91 is disposed outwardly of the forward face of thepanels, so that when the panels are swung to their folded position (seethe righthand portion of Figure 1), the outer faces of the panels arebrought adjacent one another but with suflicient clearance toaccommodate chalk rails, blackboards, operating handles, and the like,as best shown in Figures 1, 11, 12 and 13. The amount of oifset may bevaried as desired.

The lower hinge, indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral |05,is of substantially the same construction, embodying a pair of leaves|06 and I 01 in the form of angle members having forwardly extendingportions |08 of generally triangular formation, and one of them beingoffset as at IIO and receiving a hinge pin I laterally offset so as tobe disposed in line with the upper hinge pin 91. Bolts ||2 are providedfor fastening the hinge leaves to the panels.

The companion panel 90, hingedly connected to theY pivoted panel 60 ofeach pair, is preferably supported by a hanger unit of relatively simpleand inexpensive construction, and preferably the hanger units are eachconnected with the associated companion panel in substantially thecenter line thereof so that no part of the weight of the companion panel90 is imposed on the pivoted panel |50` or upon the hinge meansconnecting the two panels of each pair. The hanger units are bestillustrated in Figures 5 and 6. Each unit consists of a bracket |20fastened to the hinged door panel on the inside thereof by screws |2l,and includes a rearwardly or inwardly directed section |22 which isapertured to receive the reduced end |24 of a pivot stud |25. The latteris carried in the outwardly Hswing laterally and, at the same time, maybe .minwardly and upwardly disposed ear portions of shifted along thetrack |40. Thus, when the pivoted panel 60 is swung from an extendedposition to a crosswise position, as at the right-hand end of Figure 2,the associated companion panel 90 hinged thereto is shifted to the rightalong the track |40, and, at the same time, is folded alongside thepanel 60, the laterally offset relation of the hinge pins 31 andproviding the required clearance for handles, such as the hand grips|43, chalk rails |45, blackboards |46, and

the like. The chalk rails, blackboards, etc., have been omittedl fromsome of the other figures for convenience of illustration, but it is tobe under- Vstood that chalk rails, blackboards and the like 'l atedtogether.

may be provided where desired. Also, the adjacent edges of the panelsare beveled, as at |44, to facilitate the opening and'closing movements.

If desired, suitable linkage means may be provided for causing all ofthe panels to be oper- Referring now to Figures 3, 4 and '7, each of thepivoted panels 60 carries a bracket |50 having a vertical leg |5| thatis securely fastened on the inside of the associated panel, and arearwardly and upwardly extending --section |52 terminating in ahorizontally apertured ear disposed above the level of the upper edgesof the door panels. Preferably, bolts |53 are provided for fastening thebrackets |50 in position. Link means |54 serves to connect the severalbrackets together, as best shown in Figure 3, so as to cause all of thepanels to swing together. Preferably, the link means |54 is similar tothat shown and described in my prior Patent No. 1,973,878, issuedSeptember 18, 1934, this connecting linkage including connecting rods|55 provided with threaded ends suitably received in sleeve connectors|56 provided with apertured eye portions |51, each serving as a socketfor receiving a ball stud |59 fixed in the the associated bracket |50(Figure 7). The upper end of each of the studs is extended, as at |59a,and receives a cotter pin |6| which serves to prevent the coupling orsleeve connector from becoming detached. The intermediate coupling,indicated in Figure 3, by the reference numeral |5611, is arranged withopposite portions arranged to receive the threaded ends of theassociated connecting rods. Lock nuts |63 are provided for securelyfixing the connectingrods |55 in position and, at the same time, serveto retain the effective length of the connecting rods to which they havebeen adjusted. The ends of the connecting rods are provided,respectively, with right and left hand threads, so that rotating. theconnecting rods in one direction after the lock nuts |63 have beenloosened serves to bring the brackets |50 closed together, and turningthe connecting rods in the other direction causes them to separate. Bythis means, the connecting linkage |54 may be adjusted so that thepanels, when extended, all lie in the same plane.

In the construction described above, the doo-r panels are disclosed asarranged in hingedly connected pairs, with the pivot supporting meansfor one panel and the. hanger supporting' means for the companion panelarranged, respectively, in the center lines of the panels. As a resultof this arrangement, when the panels are all opened, as illustrated inFigures 2 and 3, the hingedly connected edges move inwardly and theo-pposite edges of the pairs of panels move outwardly of the doorwayopening. The hingedly connected edges, when the pairs of panels arefolded, appreach but do not contact the article supporting. racks I6 andThus, these latter parts may be made continuous from end to end of thecompartment. Under some conditions, it may not be desirable to have theouter edges of the panels extend outwardly of the doorway when thepanels are folded to the extent shown in Figure 2. Figure 11 illustratesa construction in which the pivot axes of the pivoted panels are'arranged, while still generally in the central portions of the panels soas to support practically all of the weight of the panels insubstantially balanced relation, somewhat closer to the outer edges ofthe associated panels than to the inner edges thereof, and the hangerunits are anchored to the companion panels in a corresponding locationso that when the panels are folded, the hingedly connected edges thereofmove to points well within the compartment and the outer edges of thepanels do not extend quite so far outwardly of the compartment doorwayopening, as in the case of Figure 2, for example. In this case, it isdesirable to have the article supporting racks arranged in separatedsections, so as to accommodate the inner or folded positions of the doorpanels. This construction is illustrated in Figure 11 and, referring nowto this figure, the reference numerals |80, 18| and |82 indicate thearticle supporting rack sections that are spaced apart as at l 84 and|85 to accommodate the inner position of the two left-hand pairs ofpanels, the rack section |82 being spaced from the right-hand end wall|3 a sufficient distance to accommodate the right-hand pair of panels.So far as the structural details of the folding pairs of panels shown inFigure 1l and the supporting and suspending hardware therefor, theconstruction employed in Figure l1 is substantially the same as thatdescribed above, except that the axis of pivoting for the pivoted panelsin each case is disposed adjacent one edge of the panel, rather than inthe center line of the latter, as shown in Figure '1.

imlarly, the hanger unit for the companion panel is disposed in eachcase substantially the same distance from the edge that the pivot axisis the like, as described above.

disposed from the outer edge of theV associated pivoted panel.

Figures 12 and 13 illustrate a construction similar. to that indicatedin Figure 11, but especially adapted for compartments which are of suchsize that more than two pairs of hingedly connected panels are notrequired. In Figures 12 and 13, the pivotally mounted panels, indicatedby the reference numeral 200, are provided with upper and lower pivots20| and 202, respectively, which are, in each case, arranged adjacentthe sides of the doorway. The companion or intermediate panels 205, whenextended, are disposed in the central portion of the doorway and aresupported by hanger units 261 of substantially the same'construction asdescribed above. Similarly, upper and lower hinge means 2li] and 2||serve to connect the pivoted and suspended panels for folding movement.By virtue of this construction, the right-hand pair of panels may befolded into a position closely adjacent the righthand side of thedoorway, and the left-hand pair of panels may be folded in a positionclosely adjacent the left-hand side of the doorway, as indicated indotted lines in Figure 13. Thus, a clear space between the folded pairsof doors is provided and which is wider than the combined width of thetwo intermediate or companion panels. In the construction indicated inFigures l to 11, the clear space between the pairs of panels, whenfolded, is substantially equal to the combined width of two of the panelsections. It is to be noted, however, that in the construction shown inFigures 12 and 13, the article supporting racks 2|5 are disposed in thecentral portion of the compartment and do not extend to the end walls I2and I3, as in the case in the construction shown in Figures 2 and 3.However, in all of the modications described above, itis to be notedthat the axis of pivotal motion of each of the pivoted panels liessubstantially in the plane of the panel itself, and as a result of thisarrangement, there are no protruding' pivot brackets or the likeextending into the open space of the doorway when the panels are folded,and therefore no one is likely to stumble when entering or leaving thecompartment.

Referring now to Figure 14, it will be seen that the wardrobe orcompartment |6is in this case closed by two sets of three-door units,each set consisting of three hingedly interconnected panels 225, 225 and221. The panels 225 and 226 are substantially identical with the panels60 and 90, respectively, described above. The panel 225 is pivoted, asat 236, by upper and lower pivots 23| of substantially the sameconstruction as is indicated at 35 and 36 in Figures 1, 'l and 8. Such apivotal support for the intermediate panel 225 establishes an axis ofswinging movement for the latter which lies substantially in the planeof the panel and also in the plane of the opening of the compartmentdoorway. The panel 226 is hingedly connected to one edge of the pivotedpanel 225 by upper and lower hinges 232 of substantially the sameconstruction shown at and |05 in Figures 9 and 1|) and described above,the axis of the relative swinging movement between the panels beingdisposed far enough in advance of the forward face of the panels so asto accommodate the usual moldings, chalk rails and Also, the panel 226is supported by a hanger unit 233 like that shown in Figures 5 and 6 anddescribed above.

The third or inner panel 221 of the sets is pivoted to the edge of thecenter panel 225, op-

posite `the edge to which the outer panel 226 is connected, by a pair ofstandard surface hinges 234. The hinges 234 are disposed on the insideof the door panels, and the axis of the hinge pins is disposed inwardlya slight distance. The third door panel 221 is guided by means of aguide roller unit 235 (Figure 16) which comprises a bracket 236 havingits vertical leg fastened to the inside of the door panel, thehorizontal leg of the bracket 236 supporting a pivot shaft 238 on whicha roller 239 is journaled. The roller 239 is disposed in a stationarychannel guide 240 fastened by means of angles 24| to the header strip42. The channel track 246 is curved, as at 24Ua, in the manner bestshown in Figure 14 so as to facilitate the opening and closing movementof the panel 221. While Figure 14 illustrates a wardrobe or compartmenthaving a doorway closed by six panels, two sets of three panels each, itis to be understood that any number of sets desired might be used. It isalso to be understood that the pivots could be arranged in the mannershown in Figure 13, that is, with the axis of the pivoted panel adjacentone edge thereof, rather than in the center. A handle 242 for operatingthe panels s carried adjacent the outer edge of the panel 226 of eachunit.

In Figure l5 I have illustrated a construction in which the outer panelof each set is the one that is pivoted to the floor and head jamb,rather than the intermediate panel as in Figure 14. Referring now toFigure 15, the reference numeral 256 indicates the pivoted panelsupported by pivot means 25| of substantially the same construction asdescribed above in connection with Figures 7, 8 and 9. The panel 250 ispivoted adjacent the associated door jamb or casing 21. The second orintermediate door panel, indicated at 252, is hinged to the pivotedpanel 25D by means of a pair of offset surface hinges 234a substantiallythe same as the hinges 234 described above in connection with Figure 14.The panel 252 is provided with a guide roller 239a substantially thesame as the guide roller 239 described above. In Figure l5, however, theguide roller 239a is mounted for movement in a track 255 that isstraight and parallel with respect to the plane of the doorway, insteadof being curved like the track shown in Figure 14.

'I'he third panel 251 of the left hand Set is hingedly connected to theedge of the intermediate panel 252 opposite its hinged connection withthe pivoted panel at 234e by hinges 260, the latter being substantiallythe same as the hinges described above in connection with Figures 9 and10. The innermost panel 251 is supported for bodily movement by hangermeans' 262 operating on a track 263 of substantially the sameconstruction as the hanger units shown in Figure 5 and described above.However, it will be observed from Figure 17 that the lower part of thetrack 263, upon which the rollers of the hanger travel, cooperates withthe lower part of an angle 264 in forming the guideway 255 for the guideroller 239a of the guide unit, indicated in its entirety by thereference numeral 235a, for the intermediate panel 252. As mentionedabove, the track 255 for the roller 239a. is straight, rather thancurved as shown in Figure 14, this construction being feasible since theinnermost panel 251 is used to open and close the panels, being providedwith handle means 265 for this purpose. In Figure 14 it was the outerpanel of the set that carried the handle means, and hence it wasdesirable to have the track for the panel 221 curved 'lol to aid insecuring the proper movement for the inner panel from the movement ofthe pivoted panel.V Y

One of the advantages of the arrangement shown in Figure 15 is that whenthe panels are opened, as indicated in dotted lines, there is very wideopen clear space in the doorway, making the compartment easilyaccessible. If desired, the pivots 25! may be disposed closely adjacentto the sides of the doorway in the manner shown in Figure 13, therebyincreasingr the clear space in the doorway.

Figure 18 is a View similar to Figure 2, in which the -panels arearranged in pairs, but with the pivot Vaxes disposed closer to one edgeof the piv-` oted door panel than the other, somewhat along the linessuggested by the construction shown in Figure 13. Moreover, the hingededges of the interconnected panels swing outwardly rather than inwardlyas illustrated in Figures 2 and 13. This makes it possible to usestandard surface hinges, indicated at 216 in Figure 18, for the hingedconnection between the interconnected panels, rather than offset hingesof the type shown in Figures 9r and 10. In the arrangement illustratedin Figure 18, the outer sides of the panels are on the outside when thepanels are folded, thereby making it unnecessary for the hingedconnection 260 to be such as to accommodate moldings, chalk rails andthe like. Hence, stan-dard hinges may be employed. Since the other partsof the construction shown in Figure 18 are substantially the same asthose indicated in Figure 2, the same reference numerals have beenapplied.

While I have shown and described above the preferred structuralembodiments which have been chosen to illustrate the principles of thepresent invention, it is to be understood that, in fact, widelydifferent means may be employed in the practice of the broader aspectsof my invention.

AWhat I claim, therefore, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a multiple door compartment, a plurality of door sections hingedlyconnected together at their adjacent edges, pivot means arranged tosupport substantially the entire weight of one section, and hanger meansassociated with another section and arranged to support substantiallythe entire weight of said other section.

2. In a multiple door compartment, the combination of av pair of doorsections of substantially the same width, means hingedly connecting thesections together at their adjacent edges, pivot means disposed betweenthe vertical edges of and arranged to support substantially the entireweight of one section, and hanger means disposed in a plane between thevertical edges of and associated with the other section and arranged tosupport substantially the entire weight of said other section, saidpivot means and said hanger means being disposed substantially the samedistance along their respective sections from the hinged connectingmeans at the adjacent edges of the sections.

3. In a multiple door compartment, the combination of a set of threedoor sections hingedly connected together at their adjacent edges, pivotmeans disposed in the plane of and in between the edges of one sectionand arranged to support substantially the entire weight of said onesection, hanger means associated with another section of each set andarranged to support substantially the entire weight of said othersection, said third section being disposed in between said abovementioned sections and hingedly connected at opposite edges te thelatter` and means for guiding said third section into and out of foldedposition relative to the first two sections.

Il. In a multiple door compartment, the combination of a plurality ofdoor panels arranged in sets of three panels of substantially the samewidth, pivot means disposed in the plane of and substantially centrallybetween the edges of one panel of each set toV support the same forswinging movement, means hingedly connecting the other panels of eachset to the pivoted panel at its opposite edges, so that when the pivotedpanel of each set is swung about its axis the companion panels hingedlyconnected thereto are folded alongside the pivoted panel, hanger meansfor each set at one side of the axis established by said pivot means forsupporting one of said last mentioned panels, and means at the otherside of said axis for guiding the other of said last mentioned panels ofeach set into and out of folded position with respect to said pivotedpanel. v

5. In a multiple door compartment, the combination of a set of threedoor panels, pivot means disposed substantially centrally between theedges of and supporting one panel of said set, hanger means supportinganother panel of said set, hinge means connecting said two panelstogether, and guide means for guiding the third panel.

6; In a multiple door wardrobe for schools and the like, the combinationof a plurality of pairs of door sections, certain of said Ysectionsbeing adapted to carry chalk rails, operating handles, blackboards andthe like on their outer faces, means pivotally mounting one section ofeach pair for swinging movement about a vertical axis lying within theplane of the panel and in between the edges thereof, hanger and trackmeans supporting the other section of each pair of sections for bothswinging and translational movement, and hinge means operativelyconnecting the adjacent edges of said door sections and including pintlecarrying portions extending away from the plane of said door sectionsand serving to establish, when the pivoted section is swung about itsaxis and the other section is shifted laterally and folded against thepivoted section, a clearance between the outer surfaces of the doorsections to accommodate operating handles, chalk rails and the like.

7. In a multiple door compartment having a doorway with a header supportextending along the top thereof, the combination of a plurality of setsof door panels, pivot means for one panel of each set and includingupper and lower angle members secured to the top and bottom portions ofthe door and having forwardly disposed portions overlying the upper andlower edges of the door, adjustable pintle means for the lower edge ofthe door and reacting against the forwardly ex-` tending portion of thelower angle member, a pivot stud carried by the forwardly extendingportion of the upper angle member, and a third angle member supportedfrom said header support and receiving said pivot stud, a plurality oftrack sections also supported from said header support and extending topoints adjacent said third angle members, respectively, and a pluralityof hanger units respectively supported from said track sections andoperatively connected with certain of the other panels to support thelatter and to accommodate their movement toward and away from foldedposition with respect to the associated pivoted panels.

8. In a multiple door compartment having interconnected door panels ofequal width and adapted to close a wardrobe door opening, pivot meansdisposed between the vertical edges of one panel for pivotallysupporting the latter, means hingedly connecting the edge of anotherpanel to the adjacent edge of said one panel, a hanger supporting saidother panel and disposed in a plane spaced in between the edges thereofin a position corresponding to the position of said pivot means inbetween the edges of said one panel, and track means carrying saidhanger and arranged parallel to said door opening.

9. In a multiple door compartment having a doorway with a header supportextending along the top thereof, the combination of a plurality of setsof door panels, pivot means for one panel of each set and includingupper and lower pivots secured to the top and bottom portions of thepanel and supporting the latter with its upper end closely adjacent saidheader support and with its lower end spaced a substantial distance fromthe floor, the lower pivots including means serving as an adjustablepintle and extending into the space at the bottom of the panel, aplurality of track sections supported from said header support, and a,plurality of hanger units respectively supported from said tracksections and operatively connected with certain of the other panels tosupport the latter with their upper ends also closely adjacent saidheader support and with their lower ends spaced a distance from the oorcorresponding to said pivoted panels.

10. In a multiple door compartment having a doorway with a headersupport extending along the top thereof, the combination of a pluralityof door panels, and pivot means for each panel and including upper andlower pivots secured to the top'and bottom portions of the panel andsupporting the latter with its upper end closely adjacent said headersupport and with its lower end spaced a substantial distance from theoor, the lower pivots including means serving as an adjustable pintleand extending into the space at the bottom of the panel.

11. A multiple section door comprising a pair of door sections, one ofsaid sections having a pivot and supported substantially entirely and insubstantially balanced relation thereon, hanger means pivotallysupporting substantially the entire weight of the other section insubstantially balanced relation thereon, and means hingedly connectingsaid sections together at their adjacent edges and substantially free ofthe weight of both said sections.

12. A multiple section door comprising a pair of door sections, a pivotsupporting one of said sections and disposed substantially centrallybetween the opposite vertical edges thereof, hanger means pivotallysupporting the other section and disposed substantially centrallybetween the opposite vertical edges of said other section, and meanshingedly connecting said sections together at their adjacent edges.

ELLIS J. G. PHILLIPS.

